By Ayomide Otitoju
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed 600 lives, according to updated figures released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday.
The UN health agency said the country has recorded 1,759 confirmed Ebola cases since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, including 600 confirmed deaths.
The WHO also reported two Ebola-related deaths in neighbouring Uganda, where 17 of the 20 confirmed patients have recovered.
According to health authorities in the DRC, the outbreak has a case fatality rate of 34 per cent. A total of 285 patients have recovered, while 304 suspected cases remain under investigation.
The outbreak, which has affected four provinces in northeastern DRC, is concentrated mainly in Ituri Province.
Health officials said the outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.
In response, clinical trials of two potential treatments began in the DRC on July 2. The study is assessing the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, administered individually and in combination.
